Sarawak to move into Phase 2 of NRP on July 14

 

Sarawak will become the ninth state to move into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan, which will enable more businesses to reopen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (above), who is also the defence minister, said the decision was made by the National Security Council (NSC) after finding that the state had met all the necessary criteria.

"After all agencies including the Health Ministry evaluated the criteria and threshold for the state, the NSC meeting agreed to shift Sarawak from Phase 1 to Phase 2 based on the three main indicators.

In order for Sarawak to qualify for Phase 2, the seven-day average of new daily Covid-19 cases must be under 345. As of today, it is at 303.

The state has 25.49 percent of its population fully vaccinated, above the 10 percent threshold needed.

To date, Sarawak has the highest rate of fully vaccinated population, excluding the federal territories.

The third criteria require a state's intensive care unit capacity to be at a moderate level.

The other states that have also moved into Phase 2 are Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Perlis, Pahang, Perak, Penang and Sabah.

Pahang had since regressed but the government is still maintaining the state under Phase 2.

Its seven-day average of new daily Covid-19 cases is at 238, above the 206-threshold.

While more businesses are allowed to open under Phase 2, other restrictions remain largely in place. Dine-in is also still not allowed. - Mkini